LOVES PARK, IL (August 1, 2003) - Rockford Speedway announced today that the 38th Annual National Short Track Championships Friday-Sunday, September 18-21 will be headlined by the Sunoco Super Series in a 250-lap event.  The Sunoco Super Series is a Late Model series with nineteen events throughout the Midwest.  It combines the top drivers from across the region and Canada with the local stars of the upper Midwest.

"We are excited to have the Sunoco Super Series headline the 38th Annual National Short Track Championships," said Jody Deery, Rockford Speedway, C.E.O.  "This will be the first visit for the Sunoco Super Series to the Rockford Speedway.  With all of their events on tracks of about 5/8 mile or less, this will truly give us a National short track champion." 

"The Sunoco Super Series is both honored and excited to be involved with the Rockford Speedway and the 38th Annual National Short Track Championships," remarked Glenn Luckett, Director of the Sunoco Super Series. "We look forward to working with the Deery family.  This event will be one of the premier events on our 2003 schedule."

The cars of the Sunoco Super Series are exactly the same as the Late Models competing on a weekly basis on tracks and touring series all across the area.  The rules are similar so that any competitor can change tires and be competitive with the series superstars.  And with $6000 to win and $1000 to start the 250 lap main event on Sunday afternoon, a record number of entries are expected.

Tickets will go on-sale to the general public Monday, August 18.  Fans can purchase tickets for individual days or in packages.  A two-day ticket package will save you 10% while a three-day ticket package will save 15% off the day of prices.  Kids' tickets are half price for all three days.  Thursday practice boasts a free grandstand.

The National Short Track Championships have crowned many famous champions over the years including Mark Martin, inaugural NSTC champion Dick Trickle, Joe Shear, Rich Bickle, Ramo Stott, Mike Miller, Jim Sauter, Butch Miller, Scott Hansen, and Steve Carlson.

Many drivers currently in the top levels of NASCAR have competed for the National Short Track title including NASCAR Winston Cup points leader Matt Kenseth, NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR Busch Series Champion Greg Biffle, along with NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Rusty Wallace, Jamie McMurray and Tony Raines, NASCAR Busch series competitors Jason Keller, David Green, Ron Hornaday, Jay, Tim, & Johnny Sauter, Scott Wimmer, Tim Fedewa and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers Travis Kvapil and Ted Musgrave.

Twelve different divisions will compete for the title National Short Track Champion over the four-day event.  You can see every type of car from the entry level Hornets/Bandits/BICS to the American Short Trackers/Internationals to the high-powered late models of the Northern Series and Sunoco Super Series.  The level of competition is high and the action will always keep you on the edge of your seat.